I recalled the orc I had met when I appeared on the broadcast at Andrea's request.

Her name was probably 'Jane'.

Although our meeting was brief, her presence still occupied a place in my memory.

In this world, 'class' exists.

Unlike medieval nobility, it's not defined by law, but no one living in this world denies the status of 'class' that exists in society.

In this cyberpunk world dominated by capitalism, class has taken on an even more primal form.

Classes were often distinguished as representatives, executives, employees, etc. Sometimes they were also categorized in the order of elves, dwarves, humans, and orcs.

Naturally, in the former, representatives are at the top.

In the latter, orcs are at the bottom.

And in this cyberpunk world, I couldn't easily forget the existence of a 'representative' who was an 'orc'.

Of course, part of the reason was that she was the representative of my acquaintance (Andrea).

It didn't seem likely that someone who had overcome the disadvantage of being an orc to attain the rank of representative would handle things so incompetently that she couldn't properly manage her agency's talent manager.

I became even more convinced of this after visiting Redwood, the orcs' district.

It's possible for a dragon to rise from humble beginnings.

Therefore.

"Me?"

It wasn't strange that I responded to Andrea with a dumbfounded voice.

No matter what Andrea answered.

Me? That? Why?

That was the order of my planned responses.

One reason is that I don't know much about manager duties.

Excluding memories from my past life, I don't even have experience with common part-time jobs.

If the manager duties Andrea is talking about include causing 'explosions,' then the story might be a little different.

This isn't a garbage dump, and there's no reason simple manager duties would require magic.

I briefly imagined:

- Who? Manager? For whom? Ah..., Ms. Andrea? That doesn't seem right, security!!

- Is professional life a joke? I asked for bean coffee, not molecular coffee!

- Stop right there! Who told you to carry drinks around! Don't you know food and drinks are prohibited here? What? The PD asked you to? The PD says otherwise! Yes, yes. I understand, please leave for now.

Numerous futures flashed through my mind.

"......"

Ugh, my head is already spinning.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

I lowered my gaze to look at Andrea.

After hearing my "Me?" question, Andrea was just looking at me without giving any answer.

By now she should have noticed my opinion, but her eyes still hadn't given up.

At this point, it felt awkward to just refuse.

I asked Andrea again.

"Is there something else going on? Why?"

I ask while mentioning the name of the country that the cyberpunk nation, Neo Japan, was called long ago.

Whether Andrea also knew that asking me to be her manager was almost unreasonable.

Andrea hesitated a bit before speaking.

"...I'm really sorry, but."

"What on earth is going on?"

"Terrorists are targeting this concert."

Oh no.

"You should have told me that first!"

I almost refused without hearing that.

I nearly became garbage.

I asked Andrea for the details.

27. Painful Social Life (1)

In reality, 'terrorists' in cyberpunk are much more common than people think.

Just turn on the news and you'll see their presence.

In the morning news, terrorists who caused incidents in the morning appear, at noon they're on the lunch news, and in the evening, terrorists who created problems appear on the evening news, all taking their turns in order.

I too had met a terrorist when I briefly stopped at a cafe, so I knew this fact better than anyone.

Of course, in my case, they had come on Pete Mac's orders.

Anyway.

The identity of the terrorist group Andrea mentioned was as follows:

'Neo-Luddite Activists'.

The Luddite movement, a machine-breaking movement that occurred in the early 19th century, is said to be its origin.

Perhaps unable to use the same name in the cyberpunk world 2-3 centuries later, they distinguished themselves by adding the cliché word "Neo" in front of it.

As technology continues to advance.

The darkness of the shadows that appear on the other side of society deepens.

From drivers who lost their jobs due to autonomous driving technology, to countless others who lost their livelihoods due to technological advancement.

This terrorist group gained momentum with the support of such people, and incidentally received political backing from companies associated with naturalists or traditionalists.

There are three groups that appear daily on NCB24 news.

The first is 'Eco-fascism'.

The second is 'Extreme Transhumanists'.

And completing the trio are the 'Neo-Luddite' groups.

Honestly, they were so famous that no one living in Neon City wouldn't know about them.

Andrea, wearing cosplay glasses, continued her explanation like a teacher.

"...What's with those glasses anyway—"

"That's how things turned out. Several singers who created their voices with AI have been invited to the concert."

My curiosity was casually dismissed.

What's with the glasses?

"You know how many singers these days use cyberwear vocal cords."

Unable to ask about the glasses, I asked about the next thing I was curious about.

"So why are those guys targeting this?"

"They say songs should be sung by people, not machines, or something. I read the threatening message, and it was so ridiculous I didn't know what to say."

Andrea's point was this.

"So they want the concert canceled, or for the performances to exclude AI voices or cyberwear vocal cords."

"That's right."

Andrea responds to my words with a finger snap.

Is it because she's an entertainer?

Her gestures expressing emotions are quite exaggerated.

Andrea said the performance itself is similar to the concert in Royal Vegas in the upper level that I attended with Catherine last time.

Demanding pure voices only in cyberpunk, what nonsense.

"Honestly, it doesn't affect me."

Andrea, lightly contradicting my thoughts, says.

"I only have voice amplification cyberwear, and my voice is still my own."

There was subtle pride in her voice.

Andrea continued naturally.

"But regardless of that, I'd be angry if the concert got canceled because of terrorism."

This is a concern that Andrea, who became a singer because she purely loves singing, would have.

I asked Andrea, who was suppressing her anger.

"But won't there be a separate security company handling this? Since it's in the upper level, they wouldn't have hired them for just a few pennies. Shouldn't you not worry?"

"That's true... but I'm still worried. I want to ask the mercenary I trust the most."

Then you should call Catherine.

Andrea casually ignored my incredulous expression and continued.

"I did consider calling you as security rather than a manager. I actually asked the company about that too."

"And?"

Andrea briefly clears her throat.

After appearing on a few entertainment programs.

It seems she's acquired a talent for impersonation.

Andrea spoke in a completely different voice.

"Ah, we're aware of that issue. The security company we've hired is paying extra attention to security, so please don't worry too much. Ms. Andrea, don't concern yourself with this, just focus on singing your best."

As she spoke, she seemed to get angry.

She touched her temple while adding an F-word at the end.

It seems her impersonation isn't over yet.

"And regarding hiring additional security, there are various contractual issues involved, so we ask for Ms. Andrea's understanding on that matter. ...That's what they said! Really!"

Hmm.

I was starting to understand why Andrea asked me to be a 'one-day manager'.

In short.

"You want me to pose as a manager?"

"That's it."

Then Andrea muttered quietly.

"...And also, since we might need to stick together, the manager role is appropriate."

That was a self-interested statement.

Hmm.

If there's a reason.

And she's not just calling me because she's bored.

Then I don't really have a reason to refuse Andrea's request.

"What about Catherine?"

That was my honest opinion.

Catherine would be better at handling unexpected variables in sudden situations.

"I've already asked Catherine and Eve separately."

"When?"

"Just now."

That was quick.

But Andrea's request to them wasn't for the 'manager' role.

"I assigned them to the audience seats."

"...Is that really necessary?"

Why not just bring all three of us as managers?

Reading my expression with quick perception, Andrea said.

"With this Neo-Luddite issue, there's been internal talk about each performer only having one manager, it really can't be helped."

"......"

Is that so?

I don't know much about the entertainment industry, so I have no way of knowing if that's true.

I stared intently at Andrea.

Andrea didn't avoid my gaze.

It seems like there's some self-interest here...

Of course, having a staring contest with a (beautiful) famous entertainer would have an obvious outcome.

I avoided Andrea's gaze and said.

"...Fine, I understand."

She said 'one-day manager', so it should be over in a day at most.

I answered without much thought.

Helping out a friend isn't a difficult thing.

"So what time should I come tomorrow?"

Hearing my question, Andrea tilted her head as if she'd heard something strange and answered.

"What are you talking about?"

"?"

What do you mean?

Of course I should start work tomorrow—.

And then.

A sudden chill ran down my spine.

As if knowing my thoughts.

Andrea smiled brightly and continued.

"We need to go right now, hurry up and get ready."

And thus.

My painful one-day (full-time) experience as a working adult began.